Soccer

Tactics and Teamwork

“Why are goals scored ? To some people the answer to this question is simple, it is one word−mistakes.  To other it is complex, because they believe there are literally hundreds of reasons why goals are scored.

“There are, in fact, five base fundamental reasons why goals are scored. Sometimes, of course, there is a combination of factors, but is a combination of two or more of the five basic factors.”

What are these factors?

1. Lack of pressure on the man with the ball.
2. Lack of support for the challenging player.
3. Failure to track players down.
4. Giving the ball away.
5. Set plays 

Source: Charles Hughes, Tactics and Teamwork, EP Publishing Ltd, p.15

1. Lack of pressure.
2. Good pressure

“Lack of pressure means that the defender is standing too far away from the man with the ball to prevent his passing the ball forward.

Lack of pressure is the primary cause of goals, and the major deficiency in defensive play” ( Charles Hughes, p. 17)

Factors for adequate pressure:

• Determination;
• Team-work and fitness
• Compactness
• Vital moments when the ball changes hands

Team-work and fitness: there is no point in one player pressurizing, if the remainder of the team is not prepared to do the same.

Compactness: a team must work hard to gain and retain compactness; avoid being stretched

Lack of support for the challenging player

“The presence of the supporting player is of double value: he is there if required in the event of the challenging player being beaten; and he can give the challenging player the confidence and encouragement to move in close  on his opponent” (Charles Hughes, p. 17)  

Giving the ball Away

“The opposition is usually given an excellent chance of scoring , especially if  the ball is given away in the defending third of the field. If you must lose possession of the ball lose it in the attacking third of the field rather than the defending  third”                                  ( Charles Hughes, p. 19).

“The opening goal World Cup final 1966 came as a result  of an England player heading  the ball down to Haller  of West Germany who scored from twelve yards range”              ( Charles Hughes, p. 19)

Set Plays

“Forty per cent of goals are scored from set plays. That fact tells its own story” ( Charles Hughes, p. 19 and 111)

Failure to Track players down

“It is failure to run with opponents and keep goal-side of them.”

“This quality in defending is becoming more and more important. In modern football there is greater importance placed upon mid-field players who can move forward into advanced positions and score goals” (Charles Hughes, p.18)

Keep constantly  in mind the five fundamental reasons why goals are scored: 

1. Lack of pressure on the man with the ball.
2. Lack of support for the challenging player.
3. Failure to track players down.
4. Giving the ball away.
5. Set plays 

Copilação de Jairo Santos

By Jucele

Julio Leal

6 de JUNHO DE 2023

8 de junho de 2023